Dr. Saliha Afridi On How To Find Your True Self Amidst Societal, Familial, And Cultural Paradigms
The managing director of The LightHouse Arabia and Bazaar’s columnist reflects on the freedom and inner peace of living in alignment with your core values
In a time overwhelmed with filters, influencers, and tailored online impressions, the search for authenticity is proving to be both extremely important and increasingly confusing. What does it really mean to be “authentic” when we’re online and using digital platforms? How can we walk this path of authenticity with grace and intention?
Authenticity comes from the Latin word “authenticus,” meaning to be “genuine” or “original.” At its core, authenticity means embracing your individuality, staying true to your core values and beliefs, and resisting the endless temptation to conform or imitate because of societal pressures.
The essence of authenticity lies not in loud proclamations but in the quiet courage to remain true to oneself. It’s the art of recognising and owning our strengths, confronting our limitations, and bearing our emotions without disguise. Authenticity calls for choices that resonate deeply with our soul’s truths, regardless of their reception from society. The journey is riddled with challenges, but the contentment found in living authentically remains unmatched. Here are a few things to keep in mind on your journey of authenticity…
Know your values
At the heart of authenticity are your values. Values are core beliefs and principles that are influenced by our culture, personal experiences, upbringing, and society. They reflect what is important to you, and influence your attitudes, behaviours and decisions. They serve as a compass, steadfastly guiding you through life’s ups and downs, directing you on how to live your life and interact with others. In a world with an overwhelming number of choices and decisions, your values ensure you remain true to your authentic direction and purpose.
Tip: When confronted with decisions, take time to reflect on these questions: Does this choice resonate with my foundational values? Does this choice draw me nearer to my genuine self or veer me away? What are the long-term implications of this decision? What external pressures are influencing my decision? How will this decision affect those around me? Embrace this introspective pause – it will lead you to make choices that resonate with your true self.
To share or not to share?
In today’s digital landscape, where private musings can quickly become public dialogue, the line between authenticity and oversharing has become blurred. Sure, authentic living is about aligning our outer actions with our inner compass, but that is not synonymous with baring all to the world. Authenticity, in its essence, encourages a balance between transparency and discretion, urging us to judiciously choose the moments of vulnerability and openness. Recognising this delicate balance demands profound self-awareness.
Tip: Excessive sharing can sometimes mask our deep-seated desire for validation. Before revealing, ask yourself: Why do I want to share this information? Why now? What am I hoping to achieve? Is this narrative genuinely mine to share or am I borrowing someone else’s story? Does this sharing align with my core values? Navigate your sharing intent – it is the compass to guide true authentic communication.
Accept the challenges of becoming authentic
The quest towards authenticity is a transformative one, but it is equally challenging. Long-held societal, familial, and cultural paradigms often promote conformity and breaking free of those expectations can often invite isolation or misunderstanding. This is especially true when your newfound authenticity unsettles those around you; however, resistance from those around you often signifies that you’re carving a trail that’s genuinely yours. Being committed to your authentic self means that you will stay your course, and over time, your genuine nature will either resonate with those around you or guide you towards those who cherish your authenticity.
Tip: When you sense external resistance, think about the evolving dynamics with those around you. Does your journey towards authenticity require setting new boundaries or seeking different paths? Ask yourself, is this resistance a reflection of their fears or my own? Am I being true to my essence, or simply reacting to external pressures? Your authenticity journey may demand difficult questions, but the destination promises the reward of genuine connections. In the digital age, where societal expectations and norms often overshadow our true selves, the pursuit of authenticity becomes a courageous act of rebellion and self-affirmation. The path to genuine selfexpression is marked by both vulnerability and insights, challenging our resilience at every turn. Yet, the returns on this personal investment are invaluable. Authenticity gifts us the unparalleled freedom of aligning with our core, an inner peace that arises from this alignment, and the deep contentment of unapologetically living a life that resonates with our true essence.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s October 2023 issue.